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MYS 2016 : picture of the yachting market

This year the 26th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show attracted 33,800 private owners, future buyers of yachts and high-level professionals active in the yachting market.

Stable attendance over the last few editions reflects the existence of a well-established international yachting community which meets every year in Monaco to discover the new yachts on offer, develop business relationships, unveil new products and services or present forthcoming yacht launches. The hundred or so private and press events organized by exhibitors on board the yachts, in their booths or in the hotels of the Principality bore witness to this activity.

Remaining in close contact throughout the year with shipyards and maritime brokers so as to showcase all that is best in yachting, the MYS organizers presented 125 yachts, 39 of which were models launched in 2016. Theo Hooning, Secretary General of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), whose members exhibited 53 yachts this year, emphasized the fact that the show “remains absolutely the one and only superyacht event in the world”, ,a major rendezvous for yacht builders.

The 2016 fleet measured on average 45 meters overall and displayed more variety than usual, with different size categories representative of this year’s production. The 30-40m segment was strongly represented with 14 novelties (from a total of 32 vessels), while the 40-50m category offered 10 new 2016 models, although it remained the largest category overall with 41 yachts. The +70m category was logically less numerous, simply because the number of owners is more limited and they favor discretion over public exhibition.

Visitors who came to buy

A month after the event feedback from exhibitors underlines the success of their participation, with productive business contacts. Many requests have already been received for larger booths in 2017.

Private visitors on the quayside displayed genuine interest in buying yachts, as Fabio Ermetto, Sales Director of the Italian builder Benetti, explains :“We noted in particular renewed interest among the visitors. We have begun several new negotiations with visitors who came to buy and not just to admire our superb yachts. The large number of visits we received during the show clearly reflects the presence of an existing clientele but also a very high level of new prospects from all over the world.” While Benetti has not confirmed the signature of any contracts during the show several yacht sales were nevertheless recorded by other exhibitors.

A program of VIP visits

Around the port or in the exhibition marquees participants met visitors with a new profile, invited by the organizers in the framework of the “MYS Sapphire Experience”. This personal made-to-measure isit program, launched three years ago, is designed exclusively for future yacht buyers.

These new clients also came to attend the 2016 edition of the Monaco Yacht Summit and receive expert guidance on the problems linked to the first purchase of a yacht or the first experience of renting. The event, which took place on Tuesday, September 27th, was deliberately restricted to a clearly-identified quality audience, as Gaëlle Tallarida, General Manageress of the MYS, explains :“Our challenge is to be constantly in search of new solutions to improve the experience of a visit to the MYS. Every year we launch new projects to awaken the interest of exhibitors and visitors. The Monaco Yacht Summit was our response to exhibitors’ demands that we attract new visitors to the MYS. The aim of the summit workshops was to provide the invited audience with the tools and answers that would give them a better understanding of the yachting market, whether it be to buy, rent or manage a yacht, and thus optimize their visit to the MYS.”

The second project launched this year was the Car Deck. This new exhibition zone showcasing luxury vehicles was installed on Quai Rainier III and presented a dozen prestige models that were available for purchase or a test drive: Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Tesla, Upper Wish and the Centigon group, specializing in armored vehicles.

On September 27th 400 guests – top managers of yachting companies and private clients – were present for the evening event that inaugurated the MYS and incorporated the 2016 MYS Award ceremony. Prizes were awarded to three superyachts: Genesi, the first superyacht from the Wider yard, received the MYS/RINA award, a tribute, according to its Chairman Tilli Antonelli, to the quality and know-how of this newcomer to the building of large yachts:“We are delighted with our participation in MYS 2016, both on account of the quality and quantity of new contacts and for this prestige award by which Genesi is recognized as the most eco-friendly superyacht in the show. Although we are a young yard, we are already regarded as a key player in the market.”

The Best Interior Design award went to the magnificent 70m sailing yacht Sybaris, for the elegance of her interior design and fittings. The challenge laid down by owner Bill Duker was clear: “I worked with the PH Design Studio based in Miami to create a magnificent and unique interior; I wanted it to be a masterpiece composed of works of arts, to be an art collection in its own right. I wanted it to be a place of inspiration and debate.” Sybaris was given her world premiere presentation at the show by the Italian shipyard Perini Navi, famous as the builder of some of the finest sailing yachts in the world, including the iconic Maltese Falcon.

Finally the real star of the 2016 ceremony was Galactica Super Nova by the Dutch builder Heesen Yachts, which won the Best Exterior Design award and that for Finest New Superyacht. Two prizes that crown a successful participation by this shipyard, as Arthur Brouwer, its Chairman, claims: “The 2016 MYS was a genuine success for Heesen Yachts, with an impressive exhibition since we presented two exceptional new projects: Galactica Super Nova (70m) and Amore Mio (45m). These two prizes are a reward for our commitment and the excellence of our brand and for our quality and passion in yacht building.”